Federal Ban Considered On “Bath Salts”

ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – It’s a drug that’s already banned in Missouri and Illinois and several other states. Now, there is talk about a federal ban on so-called “bath salts.”

Law enforcement officials have said that bath salts and fake pot have been openly sold under the guise of being incense or potpourri. Now the White House Drug Czar is calling for a federal ban on the so-called “bath salts.”

The drug is already banned in more than 40 states and the bath salts are sold over the counter at gas stations and convenience stores. The chemicals that go into it can cause paranoia, hallucinations, and even violent behavior.

“One of the things that we’re really hopeful is new federal legislation that will ban this. Many of the states have already banned it. But what happens is the people that sell and market this, who are truly bottom feeders, change the chemical compilation and then are able to skirt the law. But, hopefully, federal legislation is going to work to stop that,” said Gil Kerlikowske, from the Office of National Drug Control Policy.

“Bath salts” is a catch-all name for synthetic stimulants meant to mimic the effects of illegal drugs like meth, cocaine and LSD.